Printer and server

ABSTRACT

One of a plurality of setting screens corresponding to a plurality of printers may be generated based on original data stored in a server. Each of the plurality of setting screens may be for permitting designation of a content of each setting item matching a print condition that a corresponding printer is capable of performing. The server may acquire specific printer identification information for identifying a specific printer from a terminal device, store target data of a print target and supply specific data, which is for representing a specific setting screen corresponding to the specific printer, to the terminal device. The server may acquire setting information indicating a designated content of each setting item designated via the specific setting screen and supply to the specific printer print data according to the target data and the designated content of each setting item indicated by the setting information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2010-077450, filed on Mar. 30, 2010, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference into the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification discloses a server configured to be connectedwith a terminal device and a plurality of printers of which availableprint conditions are different from one another.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

There is a print server which is connected to a terminal device and aplurality of printers. According to this print server, a user designatesan IP address of a specific printer and a specific content for causingthe specific printer to perform printing. The terminal device sends theIP address of the specific printer and the specific content to the printserver. The print server generates print data, having a format in whichthe specific printer interprets the print data, by using the specificcontent. The print server sends the print data to the specific printer.The specific printer carries out printing in accordance with the printdata. According to the art described above, the terminal device is ableto cause the specific printer to perform print without a printer driverfor generating print data.

SUMMARY

The art disclosed in the present specification is a server configured tobe connected with a terminal device and a plurality of printers via theInternet. This server comprises a memory controlling unit, anidentification information acquiring unit, a target data acquiring unit,an image data supplying unit, a setting information acquiring unit, aprint data generating unit and a print data supplying unit. The memorycontrolling unit may be configured to store original data in a memory.One of a plurality of setting screens corresponding to the plurality ofprinters may be generated based on the original data. Each of theplurality of setting screens may be for permitting the user to designatea content of each setting item matching a print condition that acorresponding printer is capable of performing. The identificationinformation acquiring unit may be configured to acquire specific printeridentification information from the terminal device. The specificprinter identification information may be for identifying a specificprinter in the plurality of printers. The target data storing unit maybe configured to store target data of printing. The specific datasupplying unit may be configured to supply specific data to the terminaldevice based on the original data. The specific data may be forrepresenting a specific setting screen corresponding to the specificprinter identified by the acquired specific printer identificationinformation. The setting information acquiring unit may be configured toacquire, from the terminal device, setting information indicating adesignated content of each setting item designated by the user via thespecific setting screen. The print data supplying unit may be configuredto supply to the specific printer print data according to the targetdata and the designated content of the each setting item indicated bythe setting information.

The present specification also discloses a printer which is configuredto connect with the server. This printer may comprise a latest printcondition information supplying unit, a print data acquiring unit, and aprint performing unit. The latest print condition information supplyingunit may be configured to supply to the server the printeridentification information of the printer and latest print conditioninformation indicating a latest print condition that the printer iscapable of performing when the printer turns on. Furthermore, the latestprint condition information supplying unit may be configured to supplyto the server, when the latest print condition of the printer ischanged, the printer identification information of the printer and newlatest print condition information indicating a changed latest printcondition. The print data acquiring unit may be configured to acquireprint data from the server. The print performing unit may be configuredto perform printing using the print data.

A control method and a computer program for realizing the serverdescribed above, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumwhich stores the computer program, are also novel and useful.Furthermore, a control method and a computer program for achieving theprinter described above, and a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium which stores the computer program, are also novel and useful.Furthermore, a network system comprising the server and the plurality ofprinters is novel and useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a network system.

FIG. 2 shows one example of model information.

FIG. 3 shows one example of printer information.

FIG. 4 shows one example of layout data.

FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram of processing performed by each deviceof the network system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing one example of a print instruction screen.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of setting screen data generation processingperformed by the server.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing one example of a setting screen.

EMBODIMENT

An embodiment is described herein with reference to the drawings. Asshown in FIG. 1, the network system 2 comprises a server 10, a PC 60,and a plurality of printers 70, 80 and 90. The server 10 is connected toa LAN 4. The PC 60 may be portable. The PC 60 is connected temporarilyto a LAN 8 different from the LAN 4. The PC 60 connects communicablywith the server 10 via the LANs 4 and 8, and the Internet 6. The firstprinter 70, the second printer 80 and the third printer 90 are connectedto the LAN 8. The printers 70, 80 and 90 are connected communicably withthe server 10 via the LANs 4 and 8, and the Internet 6. The printer IDof the first printer 70 is “PRI70”, the printer ID of the second printer80 is “PRI80” and the printer ID of the third printer is “PRI90”.

Configuration of Server

The server 10 comprises a memory 20, a controlling unit 30, and anetwork interface 50. The controlling unit 30 performs various processesin accordance with a server program 22 stored in the memory 20. By meansof the controlling unit 30 performing processes in accordance with theserver program 22, the controlling unit 30 functions as a memorycontrolling unit 32, an identification information acquiring unit 36, antarget data acquiring unit 38, a screen data supplying unit 40, asetting information acquiring unit 44, a print data generating unit 46and a print data supplying unit 48. The memory controlling unit 32comprises a latest print condition information acquiring unit 34 and adefault print condition information acquiring unit 35. The screen datasupplying unit 40 comprises a creation unit 42.

The memory 20 stores a server program 22 performed by the controllingunit 30. The memory 20 comprises a model information storing area 24, aprinter information storing area 26, and a layout data storing area 28.

The model information storing area 24 stores a plurality of modelinformation 110, 130 (see FIG. 2). Each one of the model information110, 130 corresponds to each one model of printer. The storagecontrolling unit 32 acquires the model information of respective modelsfrom servers of manufacturers of respective models of printers via theInternet 6, and stores the model information in the model informationstoring area 24. Alternatively, the storage controlling unit 32 mayacquire model information from media storing model information ofrespective models, and stores the model information of the respectivemodels in the model information storing area 24. As a furtheralternative, the storage controlling unit 32 may acquire modelinformation of respective models from the printers 70 to 90, and storesthe model information of the respective models in the model informationstoring area 24.

Content of Model Information

As shown in FIG. 2, information relating to a printer with a model name112 of “AAA” is registered in the model information 110. The informationregistered in the model information 110 includes model print conditioninformation 120, interpretable data format information 122 and layoutdata information 124. The model print condition information 120indicates a print condition available in the model “AAA”. An item 114,option 116 and content 118 are associated in the model print conditioninformation 120.

In the model print condition information 120, “YES” in option 116 isassociated with “stapler” in item 114. This means that equipment forperforming a stapler function after printing with a stapler can be setto the printer model “AAA”. That is, it means that the stapler functionmay be available in some printers with model “AAA”, and the staplerfunction may not be available in some other printers with model “AAA.Furthermore, the content 118 indicates the content of each setting itemof the print condition available in the printer model “AAA”, andsignifies the option which can be selected by the user. For example,“ON, OFF” in the content 118 associated with “stapler” means that theuse may select an “ON” option for activating the stapler function, or“OFF” option for inactivate the stapler function. As described in detailbelow, the options selectable by the user indicated in the content 118may vary according to the current status of the individual printer 70.

“YES” in option 116 is associated with an item which varies betweenavailable and not available in each individual printer, similar to thestapler function described above. For example, “YES” in option 116 isalso associated with “both-side printing” in item 114. This means thatequipment for both-side printing can be installed in the printer model“AAA”. Furthermore, item of “one side, long side binding, one sidebinding” associated with “both-side printing” means those variousmethods for the both-side printing are available options selectable bythe user.

Items 114 associated with “NO” in option 116 (namely, the items “color”,“resolution”, “document direction” and “paper size”) can be performed bya printer model “AAA” without special equipment for the printer. “color,monochrome” associated with “color” means that color printing andmonochrome printing are available options selectable by the user.Similarly, “300 dpi, 600 dpi, 1200 dpi” associated with “resolution”means that printing at 300 dpi, 600 dpi and 1200 dpi are availableoptions selectable by the user. Furthermore, “landscape, portrait”associated with “document direction” means that print in the lateraldirection and the longitudinal direction of the print medium areavailable options selectable by the user. “LETTER, A4, B4” associatedwith “paper size” means that printing on a print medium of Letter size,A4 size and B4 size are available options selectable by the user. Themodel print condition information 120 can be regarded as informationindicating a print condition that a printer of model “AAA” can perform.

Information indicating a data format in which a printer model “AAA” caninterpret is registered in the content 118 associated with theinterpretable data format information 122. A layout number forspecifying layout data, which is described later, is registered in thecontent 118 associated with the layout data information 124.

Information relating to a printer model having a model name 132 of “BBB”is registered in the model information 130. Similarly to the modelinformation 110, the information registered in the model information 130includes model print condition information 140, interpretable dataformat information 142 and layout data information 144. The model printcondition information 140 does not include “stapler” or “both-sideprinting”. This means that equipment for the both-side printing or thestapler function cannot be installed in the printer model “BBB”. Theirnumbers of items in a printer model “AAA” are different from a printermodel “BBB”, and their contents of the items including the availableoptions selectable by the user are also different in both models.Consequently, the available print conditions are different in model“AAA” and model “BBB”. FIG. 2 only shows model information 110 and 130for models “AAA” and “BBB”, but model information for various othermodels such as “CCC” may also be stored in the model information storingarea 24.

Printer information for each printer 70 to 90 is stored in the printerinformation storing area 26. As described below, the memory controllingunit 32 acquires the printer information from each printer 70 to 90 andstores the printer information of each printer 70 to 90 in the printerinformation storing area 26 (see S606, 608, 616 and 618 in FIG. 5).

Contents of Printer Information

As shown in FIG. 3, the printer information 210 is for the first printer70 with the printer ID “PRI70”. The printer information 210 includes aprinter ID “PRI70”, and a model name “AAA” indicating the model of thefirst printer 70. The printer information 210 also includes latest printcondition information 218 and default print condition information 220.

The latest print condition information 218 indicates a print conditioncurrently available by the first printer 70. An item 214 and a content216 are associated in the latest print condition information 218. Themodel of the first printer 70 in the latest print condition information218 is “AAA”. Consequently, the model information of the first printer70 in the printer information 210 is identical to that in the modelinformation 110 in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the model print condition information 120 formodel “AAA”, the items 114 “both-side printing” and “stapler” areassociated with “YES” under option 116. As shown in FIG. 3, in thelatest print condition information 218, the item 214 “both-sideprinting” is associated with the content 216 “available”. This meansthat equipment for the both-side printing is currently installed in thefirst printer 70 so that the first printer 70 is capable of performingthe both-side printing. On the other hand, in the latest print conditioninformation 218, the item 214 “stapler” is associated with the content216 “not available”. This means that equipment for the stapler functionis not currently installed in the first printer 70, and that the firstprinter 70 is not capable of performing the stapler function. Therefore,only the model information 110 may not enough to determine whether ornot the first printer 70 is capable of performing the both-side printingand the stapler function.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, in the model print conditioninformation 120 for the model “AAA”, the item 114 “paper size” isassociated with the content 118 “LETTER, A4, B4”.As shown in FIG. 3, inthe latest print condition information 218, the item 214 “paper size” isassociated with the content 216 “A4, LETTER”. This means that the firstprinter 70 is able to print onto a print media of Letter, A4and B4, butthat only paper cassettes for papers in Letter size and A4 size arecurrently installed in the first printer 70, and a paper cassette forpapers in B4 size is not installed. Therefore, the first printer 70 iscurrently capable of printing only onto print media of Letter andA4sizes. The “A4 available, letter available” associated with the item214 “number of remaining paper” indicates that print media of A4 sizeremains in the corresponding paper cassette and that print media ofLetter size remain in the corresponding paper cassette.

The print condition in which the first printer 70 is currently capableof printing may vary. For example, if equipment for the stapler functionis installed in the first printer 70, the first printer 70 is capable ofthe stapler function. As described below, the first printer 70 transmitsnew latest print condition information to the server 10 if the currentlyavailable print condition has changed (see S612 in FIG. 5). Uponacquiring new latest print condition information, the server 10 replacesthe latest print condition information 218 with the new latest printcondition information.

The default print condition information 220 indicates the default printcondition currently set in the first printer 70. An item 214 isassociated with a content 216 in the default print condition information220. The default print condition is a print condition previouslydesignated by a user to the first printer 70. That is, unless anotherprint condition is designated when performing printing, the firstprinter 70 performs printing in accordance with the default printcondition.

Printer information for the second printer 80 and printer informationfor the third printer 90 are also stored in the printer informationstoring area 26. In the present embodiment, the model of the secondprinter 80 is “BBB” and the model of the third printer 90 is “CCC”.

The layout data storing area 28 stores a plurality of layout data 310,330 as shown in FIG. 4. One layout data 310, 330 corresponds to onemodel of printer. Similarly to the model information 110, 130 describedabove, the memory controlling unit 32 may store in the layout datastoring area 28 layout data for respective models acquired from aserver, a medium or each printer 70 to 90.

Contents of Layout Data

As shown in FIG. 4, the layout data 310, 330 are respectively labelledwith the numbers “1” and “2”. This number corresponds to a layout datanumber indicated in the layout data information 124, 144 in the modelinformation 110, 130 in FIG. 2. More specifically, the layout data for aprinter model “AAA” is the layout data 310 in FIG. 4. The layout datafor a printer of model “BBB” is the layout data 330 in FIG. 4. Thelayout data storing area 28 also stores layout data for other modelssuch as “CCC”.

The layout data 310 for the printer model “AAA” includes default data312 and position data 318. A character string of item 314 is associatedwith a box type 316 in the field data 312. The character string of item314 indicates each item 114 of the model print condition information 120of the model information 110 for model “AAA”. The character string ofitem 314 also includes a character string “print copies” not included ineach item 114 of the model print condition information 120. The box type316 is information indicating the type of box displayed on a settingscreen 500, described below (see FIG. 8). In the present embodiment,there are two types of boxes: a number selection type box and acharacter string selection type box. The number selection type box is abox for the user to select one or more integer in a predetermined range.The character string selection type box is a box for the user todesignate one option from two or more predetermined options. Theposition data 318 indicates a position on the setting screen 500 of therelated default data 312.

Similarly to the layout data 310, the layout data 330 includes fielddata 332 and position data 338. A character string of item 334 isassociated with a box type 336 in the field data 332. The characterstring of item 334 indicates each item of the model print conditioninformation 140 of the model information 130 for model “BBB”. Here, thecharacter strings 334 also include a character string “print copies” notincluded in each item of the model print condition information 140.Moreover, the character string of item 334 does not include a characterstring for an item for which two or more options do not exist. Forexample, “color” in the model print condition information 140 isassociated with “monochrome”. That is, a printer model “BBB” is onlycapable of performing monochrome printing. Therefore, the user is notable to designate printing other than in monochrome. A character stringfor this kind of item is not included in the layout data 330.

Configuration of Printer

As shown in FIG. 1, the first printer 70 comprises a controlling unit72, a print performing unit 78 and a memory 77. A printer program 79performed by the controlling unit 72 is stored in the memory 77. Thecontrolling unit 72 performs various processes in accordance with aprinter program 79 stored in the memory 77. The controlling unit 72functions as a latest print condition supplying unit 74 and a print dataacquiring unit 76 by means of the controlling unit 72 performingprocesses in accordance with the printer program 79. The printperforming unit 78 prints an image represented by print data acquired bythe print data acquiring unit 76. The second printer 80 and the thirdprinter 90 have a similar configuration to the first printer 70. Asstated above, the printers 70, 80 and 90 are of different models and theavailable print conditions thereof are different from one another.

Configuration of PC

The PC 60 comprises an operating unit 62, a displaying unit 64 and astorage unit. The storage unit stores a browser program 66. Theoperating unit 62 includes a keyboard and a mouse operated by a user.The controlling unit of the PC 60 is able to cause the displaying unit64 to display various types of information acquired via the Internet 6,in accordance with the browser program 66.

Process Performed by Each Device of Network System

Next, processes performed by the server 10, the PC 60 and the first tothird printers 70 to 90 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Thelatest print condition supplying unit 74 of the first printer 70supplies the printer information 604 to the server 10 when a powersupply to the first printer 70 is turned on (S602). The printerinformation 604 includes the printer ID “PRI 70” of the first printer70, latest print condition information 218, and default print conditioninformation 220 of the first printer 70.

The memory controlling unit 32 of the server 10 acquires the printerinformation 604 supplied from the first printer 70 (S606). Morespecifically, the latest print condition information acquiring unit 34acquires latest print condition information included in the printerinformation 604, and the default print condition information acquiringunit 35 acquires default print condition information included in theprinter information 604. Next, the memory controlling unit 32 stores theprinter information 604 acquired in S606 in the printer informationstoring area 26 (S608). By this means, a printer ID, latest printcondition information and default print condition information are storedin mutually associated fashion in the printer information storing area26. In this case, if printer information including the printer IDacquired in S606 has already been stored in the printer informationstoring area 26, then the memory controlling unit 32 stores the printerinformation 604 acquired in S606 in the printer information storing area26, instead of the previously stored printer information.

As described above, the latest print condition of the first printer 70may vary. For example, the first printer 70 becomes unable to performthe both-side printing if equipment for the both-side printing isremoved (first example). Moreover, the first printer 70 becomes able toperform monochrome printing only, if the color ink or toner for colorprinting runs out (second example). Furthermore, the first printer 70becomes unable to print onto a recording medium of A4 size if printmedia of A4 size in the paper cassette has run out (third example). Thelatest print condition supplying unit 74 updates the printer informationregistered in its own memory 77 if the latest print condition of thefirst printer 70 changes (S610). The latest print condition supplyingunit 74 updates the printer information stored therein if the defaultprint condition of the first printer 70 is changed by the user. Thelatest print condition supplying unit 74 supplies updated printerinformation 614 to the server 10, each time the printer information inthe latest print condition supplying unit 74 is updated (S612). In thefirst example described above, the latest print condition supplying unit74 supplies printer information 614 including latest print conditioninformation in which the content associated with “both-side printing” is“not available”, to the server 10. In the second example describedabove, the latest print condition supplying unit 74 supplies printerinformation 614 including latest print condition information in whichthe content associated with “color” is “monochrome”, to the server 10.In the third example described above, the latest print conditionsupplying unit 74 supplies printer information 614 including latestprint condition information in which the content associated with “numberof remaining paper” is “A4 not available, letter available”, to theserver 10.

The memory controlling unit 32 of the server 10 acquires the printerinformation 614 supplied from the first printer 70 (S616), similarly toS606. Next, the memory controlling unit 32 stores the printerinformation 614 acquired in S616 in the printer information storing area26 (S618). In this case, since the printer ID “PRI70” included in theprinter information 604 stored in S608 matches the printer ID “PRI70”included in the printer information 614 acquired in S616, then thememory controlling unit 32 stores the printer information 614 acquiredin S616 in the printer information storing area 26 instead of theprinter information 604 stored in S608.

Similar process to the process in steps S602 to S618 described above isalso carried out between the server 10 and the second printer 80, andbetween the server 10 and the third printer 90.

By operating the operating unit 62, the user is able to supply a printinstruction screen request from the PC 60 to the server 10.Specifically, the user starts up a browser program 66 by operating theoperating unit 62. The user then designates a URL of the server 10 byperforming an operation in accordance with the browser program 66. As aresult of this, the PC 60 supplies a print instruction screen request620 to the server 10.

The controlling unit 30 of the server 10 supplies print instructionscreen data 624 to the PC 60 when the print instruction screen request620 is acquired (S622). The print instruction screen data 624 is writtenin a data format in which the browser program 66 can interpret the printinstruction screen data, such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) andXML (Extensible Markup Language).

The PC 60 causes the displaying unit 64 to display a print instructionscreen 400 described in the print instruction screen data 624 acquiredfrom the server 10, in accordance with the browser program 66. As shownin FIG. 6, the print instruction screen 400 includes an area 402 for theuser to designate a printer ID and areas 404 and 406 for the user todesignate a print target file (e.g., print object file). By operatingthe operating unit 62, the user is able to designate a printer ID of aprinter which should carry out printing. The user is also able todesignate a URL of a print target file (e.g., print object file) in thearea 404, by operating the operating unit 62. For example, if a filestored in an external server is to be the print target file, then theuser inputs the URL of the print target file in the external server, inthe area 404. Furthermore, for example, if a file stored in the PC 60 isto be a print target file, then the user inputs the URL of the printtarget file in the PC 60. When a file stored in the PC 60 is to be theprint target file, the user may able to select a reference button in thearea 406. In this case, a hierarchical list of folders and files in thePC 60 is displayed and the user is able to choose the print target filefrom the hierarchical list. In this case, the URL of the print targetfile, in the PC 60, designated by the user is automatically input to thearea 406. After designating the print target file, the user can operatethe “OK” button 408.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the user operates the “OK” button 408, the PC60 supplies a printer ID and file information 626 designated by theuser, to the server 10. When the URL has been input to the area 404 bythe user, the PC 60 supplies the inputted URL to the server 10 as thefile information. On the other hand, if the URL has been input to thearea 406, then the PC 60 acquires the print target file in the PC 60based on the inputted URL. The PC 60 then supplies the acquired printtarget file to the server 10 as the file information.

The controlling unit 30 acquires the printer ID and the file information626 supplied from the PC 60 (S628). More specifically, theidentification information acquiring unit 36 acquires a printer IDsupplied from the PC 60. Furthermore, the target data acquiring unit 38also acquires file information supplied from the PC 60. If the fileinformation is a URL of the print target file, then in S628, the targetdata acquiring unit 38 accesses the other server designated by the URLand acquires the file identified by the URL. Furthermore, if the fileinformation is the print target file itself, then in S628, the targetdata acquiring unit 38 acquires the print target file by acquiring thefile information 626 supplied from the PC 60. The generating unit 42then performs a setting screen data generating process (S630).Subsequently, the screen data supplying unit 40 supplies the generatedsetting screen data 634 to the PC 60 (S632). The setting screen data 634is written in a data format in which the browser program 66 caninterpret the setting screen data.

Setting Screen Data Generating Process Performed by Server

The setting screen data generating process performed in S630 in FIG. 5is now described with reference to FIG. 7. The creation unit 42specifies printer information associated with the printer ID acquired inS628 in FIG. 5, from the plurality of printer information 210 stored inthe printer information storing area 26. Below, in S628, the descriptionis continued with reference to an example where the printer ID “PRI70”of the first printer 70 has been acquired. Consequently, the printerinformation 210 of the first printer 70 is specified. Next, the creationunit 42 specifies the content 216 associated with the “printer modelname” included in the specified printer information 210 (S702). By thismeans, the model “AAA” of the first printer 70 is specified.

Next, the creation unit 42 specifies the model information 110associated with the model name “AAA” specified in S702, from theplurality of model information 110, 130, stored in the model informationstoring area 24 (S704). Subsequently, the creation unit 42 specifies thelayout number “1” associated with “layout data”, of the items includedin the model information 110 specified in S704. The creation unit 42specifies the layout data 310 having the specified layout number “1”,from the plurality of layout data 310, 330, stored in the layout datastoring area 28 (S706). Thereupon, the creation unit 42 compiles layoutdata using the printer information 210 specified in S702 (S708).

In the process in S708, more specifically, the creation unit 42 compilesfield data 312 of the layout data 310 using latest print conditioninformation 218 included in the printer information 210. Morespecifically, the creation unit 42 deletes items which cannot present anoption to the user from the field data 312 based on the respectiveinformation in the latest print condition information 218. For example,in the latest print condition information 218, since the item 214“stapler” and the content 216 “not available” are associated (in otherwords, since the first printer 70 cannot perform the stapler function),then the creation unit 42 deletes the character string of item“stapler”, the box type “character string selection” associated with“stapler” and the position data “fifth line” associated with the“stapler”, from the field data 312. In this case, the creation unit 42changes the “sixth line” in the position data 318 associated with theitem 314 “paper size” to “fifth line”, and changes the “seventh line” inthe position data 318 associated with the item 314 “document direction”to “sixth line”. More specifically, the creation unit 42 corrects theposition data 318 in such a manner that even if the item “stapler” isremoved, a blank does not occur between the other items.

Furthermore, supposing that the item 214 “color” and the content 216“monochrome” are associated in the latest print condition information218 (in other words, that the first printer 70 is capable of performingmonochrome print only), then the creation unit 42 deletes the itemcharacter string “color”, the box type “character string selection” andthe “second line” from the field data 312. In this case also, thecreation unit 42 corrects the position data 318 in such a manner that ablank does not occur between the items.

When S708 has been completed, the creation unit 42 describes options ofthe print condition that the printer is currently capable of performing,to the layout data 310, for each item of the layout data 310 of themodel “AAA” of the first printer 70, using the model information 110 formodel “AAA” of the first printer 70 specified in S704 and the printerinformation 210 of the first printer 70 specified in S702 (S710).

In the process in S710, more specifically, the creation unit 42 firstlyspecifies one item (“target item” hereinafter), of the plurality ofitems of the layout data 310. Thereupon, the creation unit 42 specifiesthe content (e.g., color or monochrome) associated with the target item(e.g., “color”), from the model print condition information 120 of themodel information 110. Moreover, the creation unit 42 specifies thecontent (e.g., color or monochrome) associated with the target item(e.g., “color”), from the latest print condition information 218 of theprinter information 210. By this means, the creation unit 42 is able toidentify the content of the items available in the model “AAA” of thefirst printer 70 (e.g., color, monochrome), and the content that thefirst printer 70 can currently perform (e.g., color, monochrome). AtS710, the creation unit 42 performs process for describing contentswhich can currently be performed by the first printer 70, as optionalcharacter strings, of the contents of each item supported by the model“AAA”, based on the information specified for each target item.

For example, if the target item is “color”, then “color, monochrome” isspecified by both the model print condition information 120 of the modelinformation 110 and the latest print condition information 218 of theprinter information 210. Consequently, the creation unit 42 is able totell that the first printer 70 is currently capable of performing bothcolor printing and monochrome printing available in the model “AAA” ofthe first printer 70. In this case, the creation unit 42 describes“color” and “monochrome” as the optional character string of the boxtype “character string selection” which is associated with the item“color” in the layout data 310.

Furthermore, for example, if the target item is “both-side printing”,then “one side, long side binding, one side binding” is specified fromthe model print condition information 120 of the model information 110,and “available” is specified from the latest print condition information218 of the printer information 210. Consequently, the creation unit 42is able to tell that the first printer 70 is currently capable ofperforming the both-side printing available in the model “AAA” of thefirst printer 70. In this case, the creation unit 42 describes “oneside, long side binding, one side binding” as the optional characterstring of the box corresponding to the item “both-side print” in thelayout data 310.

Furthermore, for example, if the target item is “paper size”, then“letter, A4, B4” is specified from the model print condition information120 of the model information 110, and “A4, letter” is specified from thelatest print condition information 218 of the printer information 210.The creation unit 42 also specifies “A4available, letter available”which is associated with “number of remaining paper”, from the latestprint condition information 218 of the printer information 210. Byreferring to this information, the creation unit 42 is able to determinethe sizes “letter, A4” of the print media which can currently be used bythe first printer 70, of the sizes “letter, A4, B4” of print mediaavailable in the model “AAA” of the first printer 70. In this case, thecreation unit 42 describes “letter, A4” as the optional character stringcorresponding to the box of the item “paper size” in the layout data310, and does not describe the size “B4” of the recording medium whichcannot currently be used by the first printer 70.

Furthermore, for example, if the target item is “document direction”,then “landscape, portrait” is specified from the model print conditioninformation 120 in the model information 110. However, there is no itemcorresponding to “document direction” in the latest print conditioninformation 218 of the printer information 210. In this case, thecreation unit 42 describes “landscape, portrait” as the optionalcharacter string of the box corresponding to the item “documentdirection” in the layout data 310.

For example, if the target item is “number of copy”, then as shown inFIG. 4, the box type associated with the item “number of copy” is“number selection”. In this case, the creation unit 42 describesintegers not less than one as the optional character strings of the boxcorresponding to the item “number of copy” in the layout data 310.

At S710, the creation unit 42 further reads in the default printcondition information 220 of the printer information 210. The creationunit 42 arranges the text string of the content indicated by the defaultprint condition information 220 at the start of the optional characterstrings described for each target item stated above. For example, sincethe “color” item is set to “color”, then the character string “color” of“color, monochrome” which are the options for the “color” item isarranged at the start of the default print condition information 220. Bythis means, the setting screen 500 (see FIG. 8) is displayed in a statewhere “color” is stated in the box corresponding to the “color” item.Similarly, the creation unit 42 decides the arrangement of the optionalcharacter strings in such a manner that default print conditions aredescribed in the boxes corresponding to the other items.

When S710 ends, the creation unit 42 creates setting screen data havinga data format in which the browser program 66 can interpret the settingscreen data, using the layout data updated in S706 and S708 (S712). Thatis, the creation unit 42 creates setting screen data in such a mannerthat the character strings 314 of the items of the layout data afterchange (see FIG. 4) and the character strings of the options describedin S710 are arranged in the positions (lines) indicated by the positiondata 318 of the layout data after change.

FIG. 8 shows a setting screen 500 displayed by the setting screen datagenerated in S712. A box 502 for number selection is displayed at aposition corresponding to “number of copy” of the setting items 508. Theuser is able to designate a number of print copies, by operating thebuttons of the box 502. Respective boxes 504 for character stringselection are displayed at the positions corresponding to the respectiveitems other than “number of copy” in the settings items 508 (e.g., theitems “color”, “resolution”, etc.). In the initial state in which thesetting screen 500 is displayed initially on the PC 60, the defaultprint conditions indicated by the default print condition information220. In other words, the character strings arranged at the start of theoption character strings described for each target item, are displayedin each box 504. When the user operates the buttons of the box 504, thelist of options described in S710 in FIG. 7 is displayed on the settingscreen 500. The user is able to designate one option, via the settingscreen 500.

The PC 60 causes the display unit 64 to display the setting screen 500represented by the setting screen data 634 in accordance with thebrowser program 66. The user is able to designate the contents of eachsetting item by operating the operating unit 62. When the “OK” button506 on the setting screen 500 is operated by the user, the PC 60supplies setting information 636 to the server 10 as shown in FIG. 5.The setting information 636 includes contents displayed on the settingscreen 500 at the time when the “OK” button 506 was operated. Thecontents are the respective setting items selected by the user.

The setting information acquiring unit 44 acquires setting information636 supplied from the PC 60 (S638). Next, the print data generating unit46 generates print data by using the setting information 636 acquired inS638 and the print target file acquired in S628 (S640). Morespecifically, the print data generating unit 46 firstly specifies theprinter information 210 stored in the printer information storing area26 in association with the printer ID “PRI70” acquired in S628.Thereupon, the print data generating unit 46 specifies the content “AAA”of “printer model name” included in the specified printer information210. Moreover, the screen data generating unit 46 specifies the modelinformation 110 stored in the model print condition information storingarea 24 in accordance with the specified printer model name “AAA”. Theprint data generating unit 46 then specifies the interpretable dataformat information 122 included in the model information 110. The printdata generating unit 46 converts the print target file acquired in S628into image data having a data format indicated by the interpretable dataformation information 122. In the data format the first printer 70 caninterpret the image data. The print data generating unit 46 generatesprint data including the image data generated in S640 and the settinginformation 636 acquired in S638. Moreover, the print data generatingunit 46 stores the generated print data and the printer ID “PRI70”acquired in S628, in mutually associated fashion, in the memory 20. Ifthe print target file acquired in S628 is already in a data format inwhich the printer can interpret contents of the print target file suchas a PDF file, then the print data generating unit 46 does not performconversion of the data format of the print target file. The print datagenerating unit 46 generates print data including the print target fileacquired in S628 and the setting information 636 acquired in S628.

Each of the printers 70, 80, 90 periodically conduct polling 644, thatenquires to the server 10 whether or not data which should be processedby that printer is stored in the server 10 . The polling 644 includesthe printer ID of the printer which has issued the polling 644. Uponreceiving the polling 644, the server 10 judges whether or not printdata associated with the printer ID included in the polling 644 isstored in the memory of the server 10. If the result of this judgmentprocess is affirmative, then the server 10 supplies information 646indicating “job available” (i.e., there is a job), to the printer whichissued the polling 644, in response to the polling 644. If the result ofthis judgment processing is negative, then the server 10 suppliesinformation indicating that there is no job, to the printer which issuedthe polling 644, in response to the polling 644.

Upon acquiring the information 646 indicating “job available”, theprinter which issued the polling 644 supplies a job request 648including its own printer ID to the server 10. On the other hand, if theprinter which issued the polling 644 acquires information indicatingthat there is no job, then a job request 648 is not supplied to theserver 10.

Upon acquiring the job request 648, the server 10 supplies the printdata associated with the printer ID contained in the job request 648(namely, print data including the image data generated in S640 and thesetting information acquired in S638, this print data 650 having beenstored in the memory 20 in S642), to the printer which issued the jobrequest 648 (S649).

Therefore, the print data acquiring unit 76 acquires the print datastored in S642 (S651). The print performing unit 78 performs printingusing the print data acquired in S651. More specifically, the printperforming unit 78 prints an image represented by the image dataacquired in S651, onto a print medium, in accordance with the settinginformation acquired in S651 (S652).

The present embodiment has been described in detail above. The server 10generates print data including image data having a format in which theprinter can interpret the image data, from the print target fileacquired from the PC 60 (S640 in FIG. 5). Therefore, it is possible toachieve printing the print target file, even if a printer driver forgenerating print data using the print target data is not installed inthe PC 60.

The server 10 generates setting screen data using the model information110, 130, the printer information 210 and the layout data 310, 330, andsupplies this setting screen data to the PC 60 (S632 in FIG. 5). The PC60 is able to display the setting screen 500 by using the suppliedsetting screen data. A user is able to designate a content of eachsetting item matching a print condition that a specific printer iscapable of performing, via the setting screen 500. The server 10generates print data by using the contents of each setting itemdesignated by the user and the print target file (S640 in FIG. 5), andsupplies the print data to the printer (S649 in FIG. 5). As a result ofthis, the printer performs printing in accordance with the print data.By means of the configuration described above, it is possible to performprinting corresponding to the content of each setting item designated bythe user.

The server 10 acquires printer information when the printer informationof the printers 70, 80, 90 has changed (see S616 in FIG. 5). The server10 stores the acquired printer information in the printer informationstoring area 26 (see S618 in FIG. 5). Consequently, the server 10 isable to supply setting screen data for designating a content of eachsetting item matching a print condition that the printers 70, 80, 90 arecurrently capable of performing, to the PC 60. Therefore, the user isable to designate a content of each setting item matching a printcondition that a printer is currently capable of performing.

The server 10 supplies, to the PC 60, setting screen data representingthe setting screen 500 which does not include a box for the user todesignate the content of each setting item not matching a printcondition which can currently be performed by the printer (in thepresent embodiment, “stapler”). If a user is able to designate a contentof each setting item which does not match a print condition that theprinter can perform currently, in other words, a content that theprinter is currently incapable of performing (e.g., color print), thenthe user will become dissatisfied because printing is not performedaccording to that content. According to the present embodiment, it ispossible to restrict the occurrence of incidents where the user becomesdissatisfied because the user has designated a content that the printeris incapable of performing and print is not performed in accordance withthat content.

The server 10 generates setting screen data including options of eachitem in the setting screen data generating process (see FIG. 7). As aresult of this, it is possible to designate the content of each item byselecting one option from two or more options, via the setting screen500. The user is able to easily carry out the designation of a printcondition.

On the setting screen 500, default print condition information isdisplayed in the initial state. Therefore, the user is able to designatea print condition while referring to the default print conditioninformation.

The PC 60 is one example of a “terminal device”. The model information110, 130, the printer information 210 and the layout data 310, 330 areexamples of “original data”. The printer ID is one example of “printeridentification information”. The item 508 and the boxes 502 and 504 ofthe setting screen 500 are examples of a “setting field”. The modelinformation specified in S704 in FIG. 7 is one example of “specificmodel information”, the latest print condition information included inthe printer information specified in S702 in FIG. 7 is one example of“specific latest print condition information”, and the default printcondition information included in the printer information specified inS702 is one example of “specific default print condition information”.

Modification Examples

(1) The server 10 may not store the latest print condition information218 and/or the default print condition information 220, of the printerinformation 210. In this case, the server 10 may generate setting screendata using the model information 110, etc., and the layout data 310,etc. In other words, in the present modification, the setting screendata does not change in accordance with the latest print condition ofeach printer, and therefore the setting screen data corresponding to aplurality of printers of the same model is the same.

(2) Instead of that the server 10 deletes, from the layout data 310, anitem which cannot be performed currently by the printer, the server 10may also generate setting screen data in such a manner that items thatthe printer cannot currently perform are displayed in a different modeto items that the printer can current perform. For example, the server10 may also generate setting screen data in such a manner that an itemwhich cannot currently be performed by the printer is displayed morefaintly than an item which can currently be performed by the printer. Inthis case also, desirably, the setting screen data is generated in sucha manner that the user is able to select the content of an item that theprinter cannot currently perform. The setting screen data according tothe present modification example is also included in “setting screendata representing a setting screen including a setting field for theuser to designate a content of each setting item matching the latestprint condition of the printer among all setting items matching themodel print condition indicated by the model information, and notincluding a setting field for the user to designate a content of eachsetting item not matching the latest print condition of the printer”.

(3) The server 10 may also be able to store setting screen data having adata format in which the browser program 66 can interpret the settingscreen data. In this example, the setting screen data may be stored foreach model of printer. In this case, the server 10 may also supply tothe first printer 70 setting screen data corresponding to the model“AAA” of the first printer 70, without modification. Furthermore, theserver 10 may also compile setting screen data corresponding to themodel “AAA” of the first printer 70, using the printer information 210of the first printer 70. Alternatively, the server 10 may store settingscreen data for designating the content of each setting item of a printcondition that the printer is currently capable of performing, for eachprinter. In this case, the server 10 may also compile setting screendata for each printer if each printer information is acquired from eachprinter.

(4) In the present embodiment, the layout data for each model is storedin the server 10. However, the layout data may also correspond toprinters of a plurality of models. For example, one layout dataincluding both the layout data 310 and the layout data 330 may beprovided. In this case, the reference numerals 124 and 144 in FIG. 2which indicate the number of the layout data may be set to the samenumber. Furthermore, it is also possible to store just one layout datawhich is common to all of the models present in the network system 2, inthe server 10. This layout data may include all of the items of theprint conditions supported by printers of all models which are presentin the network system 2. All of the items and the option information ofa print condition which can currently be performed by a printercorresponding to the printer ID included in the printer information(e.g., information combining model print condition information 120 andlatest print condition information 218) may be included in the items(e.g., the items 214) of the printer information shown in FIG. 3 (e.g.,the printer information 210). Moreover, information relating to a dataformat that can be recognized by the printer corresponding to theprinter ID included in the printer information (e.g., interpretable dataformat information 124) may be included in the printer information. Inthis case, the server 10 does not have to store model information suchas that shown in FIG. 2.

(5) In the present embodiment, respective units 32 to 48 function as aresult of the controlling unit 30 performing the processes according tothe server program 22. Nevertheless, at least one of respective units 32to 48 may alternatively be functioned by a hardware resource such as alogic circuit. Furthermore, respective units 74 and 76 are realized as aresult of the controlling unit 72 performing the processes according tothe printer program 79. Nevertheless, at least one of respective units74 and 76 may alternatively be functioned by a hardware resource such asa logic circuit.

(6) If the file information is a URL of a print target file and theprint target file identified by the URL is stored in the memory 20 ofthe server 10, the data acquiring unit 38 may acquire the print targetfile identified by the URL by specifying the print target file from thememory 20.

(7) The print data generating unit 46 may generate print data includingthe print target file identified the file information 626 acquired fromthe second device and the setting information 636 acquired from thefirst device.

(8) The print data generating unit 46 may not generate the print data.For example, the print data generating unit 46 may supply the settinginformation 636 acquired in S638 and the print target file acquired inS628 to a generating device other than the server 10. The other devicemay generate the print data by using the setting information 636 and thetarget file.

Moreover, the technical elements described in the specification and thedrawings display technical utility either independently or in variouscombinations, and are not limited to the combinations stated in theclaims in the present application. Furthermore, the technology describedas examples in the present specification or drawings achieves aplurality of objects simultaneously, and has technical utility byachieving any one of these objects.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication system comprising a printer and aserver, the printer comprising: a print performing unit; a printerprocessor; and a printer memory storing computer-readable instructionstherein, the computer-readable instructions, when executed by theprinter processor, causing the printer to: supply first printerinformation to the server, the first printer information including firstcandidate condition information and printer identification information,the first candidate condition information indicating a first candidatecondition being a candidate of a print condition that the printer iscapable of using, the printer identification information being foridentifying the printer, wherein the first candidate condition does notinclude a specific print condition, the server comprising: a serverprocessor; and a server memory storing computer-readable instructionstherein, the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the serverprocessor, causing the server to: acquire the first printer informationfrom the printer; and supply a first setting screen to a terminal deviceby using the first printer information after acquiring the first printerinformation from the printer, the first setting screen corresponding tothe printer and being for setting a usage print condition being a printcondition to be used for printing, wherein the specific print conditionis not capable of being set as the usage print condition in the firstsetting screen, wherein the computer-readable instructions stored in theprinter memory, when executed by the printer processor, further causethe printer to: supply second printer information to the server aftersupplying the first printer information to the server, the secondprinter information including second candidate condition information andthe printer identification information, the second candidate conditioninformation indicating a second candidate condition which is differentfrom the first candidate condition, wherein the second candidatecondition includes the specific print condition, wherein thecomputer-readable instructions stored in the server memory, whenexecuted by the server processor, further cause the server to: acquirethe second printer information from the printer after acquiring thefirst printer information from the printer; supply a second settingscreen to the terminal device by using the second printer informationafter acquiring the second printer information from the printer, thesecond setting screen corresponding to the printer and being for settingthe usage print condition, wherein the specific print condition iscapable of being set as the usage print condition in the second settingscreen; acquire the usage print condition being set in the secondsetting screen from the terminal device after supplying the secondsetting screen to the terminal device; generate print data correspondingto the usage print condition after acquiring the usage print conditionfrom the terminal device; and supply the print data to the printer,wherein the computer-readable instructions stored in the printer memory,when executed by the printer processor, further cause the printer to:acquire the print data from the server after supplying the secondprinter information to the server; and control the print performing unitto perform printing by using the acquired print data.
 2. A printercomprising: a print performing unit; a processor; and a memory storingcomputer-readable instructions therein, the computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the processor, causing the printer to:supply first printer information to a server, the first printerinformation including first candidate condition information and printeridentification information, the first candidate condition informationindicating a first candidate condition being a candidate of a printcondition that the printer is capable of using, the printeridentification information being for identifying the printer, whereinthe first candidate condition does not include a specific printcondition; supply second printer information to the server aftersupplying the first printer information to the server, the secondprinter information including second candidate condition information andthe printer identification information, the second candidate conditioninformation indicating a second candidate condition which is differentfrom the first candidate condition, wherein the second candidatecondition includes the specific print condition; acquire print datacorresponding to the second candidate condition from the server aftersupplying the second printer information to the server; and control theprint performing unit to perform printing by using the acquired printdata.
 3. The printer as in claim 2, wherein the second printerinformation is supplied to the server in response to a candidatecondition in the printer being changed from the first candidatecondition to the second candidate condition.
 4. The printer as in claim3, wherein in a case where an equipment for using the specific printcondition is connected to the printer, the candidate condition in theprinter is changed from the first candidate condition to the secondcandidate condition.
 5. The printer as in claim 4, wherein the specificprint condition includes at least one of a both-side printing functionand a stapler function.
 6. The printer as in claim 2, wherein thecomputer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, furthercause the printer to: supply third printer information to the serverafter supplying the second printer information to the server, the thirdprinter information including third candidate condition information andthe printer identification information, the third candidate conditioninformation indicating a third candidate condition which is differentfrom the second candidate condition, wherein the third candidatecondition does not include the specific print condition.
 7. The printeras in claim 2, wherein the first printer information is supplied to theserver in a case where the printer is turned on.
 8. The printer as inclaim 2, wherein the first candidate condition information is configuredto a first setting screen corresponding to the printer and supplied fromthe server to a terminal device, the first setting screen is a screenfor setting a usage print condition being a print condition to be usedfor printing, the specific print condition is not capable of being setas the usage print condition in the first setting screen, the secondcandidate condition information is configured to a second setting screencorresponding to the printer and supplied from the server to theterminal device, the second setting screen is a screen for setting theusage print condition, the specific print condition is capable of beingset as the usage print condition in the second setting screen, and theprint data corresponds to the usage print condition being set in thesecond setting screen displayed in the terminal device.
 9. The printeras in claim 8, wherein the first setting screen does not include anoption for designating a content of a specific setting item included inthe specific print condition, and the second setting screen includes anoption for designating a content of the specific setting item.
 10. Theprinter as in claim 8, wherein the first setting screen does not includea specific setting item included in the specific print condition, andthe second setting screen includes the specific setting item.
 11. Theprinter as in claim 8, wherein the first setting screen is configured byusing the first candidate condition information and model informationcorresponding to the printer identification information, and the secondsetting screen is configured by using the second candidate conditioninformation and the model information.
 12. A server comprising: anetwork interface; a processor; and a memory storing computer-readableinstructions therein, the computer-readable instructions, when executedby the processor, causing the server to: acquire first candidatecondition information indicating a first candidate condition being acandidate of a print condition that a printer is capable of using,wherein the first candidate condition does not include a specific printcondition; supply a first setting screen to a terminal device via thenetwork interface by using the first candidate condition informationafter acquiring the first candidate condition information, the firstsetting screen corresponding to the printer and being for setting ausage print condition being a print condition to be used for printing,wherein the specific print condition is not capable of being set as theusage print condition in the first setting screen; acquire secondcandidate condition information indicating a second candidate conditionwhich is different from the first candidate condition after acquiringthe first candidate condition information, wherein the second candidatecondition includes the specific print condition; supply a second settingscreen to the terminal device via the network interface by using thesecond candidate condition information after acquiring the secondcandidate condition information, the second setting screen correspondingto the printer and being for setting the usage print condition, whereinthe specific print condition is capable of being set as the usage printcondition in the second setting screen; acquire the usage printcondition being set in the second setting screen from the terminaldevice via the network interface after supplying the second settingscreen to the terminal device; generate print data corresponding to theusage print condition after acquiring the usage print condition from theterminal device; and supply the print data to the printer.
 13. Theserver as in claim 12, wherein the first candidate condition informationis acquired from the printer via the network interface, the secondcandidate condition information is acquired from the printer via thenetwork interface, and the print data is supplied to the printer via thenetwork interface.
 14. The server as in claim 12, wherein the secondcandidate condition information is acquired in response to a candidatecondition in the printer being changed from the first candidatecondition to the second candidate condition.
 15. The server as in claim14, wherein in a case where an equipment for using the specific printcondition is connected to the printer, the candidate condition in theprinter is changed from the first candidate condition to the secondcandidate condition.
 16. The server as in claim 15, wherein the specificprint condition includes at least one of a both-side printing functionand a stapler function.
 17. The server as in claim 12, wherein the firstcandidate condition information is acquired in a case where the printeris turned on.
 18. The server as in claim 12, wherein the first settingscreen does not include an option for designating a content of aspecific setting item included in the specific print condition, and thesecond setting screen includes an option for designating a content ofthe specific setting item.
 19. The server as in claim 12, wherein thefirst setting screen does not include a specific setting item includedin the specific print condition, and the second setting screen includesthe specific setting item.
 20. The server as in claim 12, wherein thefirst setting screen is configured by using the first candidatecondition information and model information corresponding to theprinter, and the second setting screen is configured by using the secondcandidate condition information and the model information.